Vehicle-mounted equipment carrier

ABSTRACT

An equipment carrier for mounting onto a rear component of a vehicle structure, such as a vehicle trunk lid or door, comprises a frame having lower engagement elements engageable with a lower area of the vehicle component, a structure connected to the frame for carrying one or more items of equipment, at least one vehicle engaging member, connected to the frame, for engaging the vehicle component at a position above said lower area, a strap member having upper engagement elements for engagement with an upper area of the vehicle component, and at least one support connected to the frame, provided with a strap engaging and tensioning mechanism, which is engaged by the strap member and can be controlled for tensioning the strap member in order to tighten the upper and lower engagement elements onto the upper and lower areas of the vehicle component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment carriers, such as carriersfor bicycles, skis, luggage or the like, which are to be mounted onto avehicle trunk lid or door.

Carriers of this type are encountering increasing favour among userswith respect to carriers which are to be mounted on the vehicle roof,also due to the inconvenience of placing the equipment (e.g. a bicycle)on the vehicle roof, particularly with relatively tall vehicles such asSport Utility Vehicles (SUV), vans or others.

It is particularly important for an equipment carrier of the type to bemounted on a trunk lid or door that it can be mounted and removed withvery quick and simple operations by the user. Equipment carriers of thistype which have been proposed heretofore are not able to solve thisproblem very satisfactorily. A conventional equipment carrier formounting on a vehicle trunk lid or door comprises a frame with astructure for carrying one or more items of equipment and provided withengagement means for engaging the rear trunk lid or door of the vehicle.In order to safely secure the carrier to the vehicle, a number of strapsor belts are provided which are used to connect the frame of the carrierto the vehicle structure. The operation of arranging these straps isrelatively complicated and time-consuming, and the same is true when thecarrier must be removed from the vehicle. Moreover, the addition ofthese straps gives rise to a not very attractive appearance of thecarrier once it has been mounted on the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an equipment carrierfor mounting on a vehicle trunk lid or door which can be mounted on thevehicle and removed from the vehicle with extremely simple and quickoperations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an equipmentcarrier of this type which does not imply the use of separate belts orstraps in order to secure the carrier on the vehicle structure.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an equipmentcarrier for mounting on a vehicle trunk lid or door which ensures thecarrier to be safely secured to the vehicle structure.

Another object of the invention is that of providing an equipmentcarrier for mounting on a vehicle trunk lid or door which is suitablefor carrying a variety of different items of equipment.

According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved byproviding an equipment carrier having the features specified in any ofthe attached independent claims. Further preferred features areindicated in the dependent claims.

The invention is particularly directed to an equipment carrier formounting onto a rear component of a vehicle structure, such as a vehicletrunk lid or door, comprising:

-   -   a frame having lower engagement means engageable with a lower        area of the vehicle component;    -   a structure connected to the frame or forming part thereof, for        carrying one or more items of equipment;    -   at least one vehicle engaging member connected to the frame or        forming part thereof, for engaging the vehicle component at a        position above said lower area,    -   a strap member having upper engagement means for engagement with        an upper area of the vehicle component,    -   at least one support connected to the frame or forming part        thereof, and having strap tensioning means, preferably in form        of ratchet-type means, which are engaged by said strap member        and can be controlled for tensioning the strap member in order        to tighten said upper and lower engagement means onto said upper        and lower areas of the vehicle component.

In a preferred embodiment, the above mentioned vehicle engaging memberfor engaging the vehicle component is connected to, or forms part of,the support having the ratchet-type means for tensioning the strapmember.

In the carrier of the invention, one or more strap members may beprovided engaged with respective ratchet-type means, so that the strapmembers appear to constitute an integral part of the whole carrier.

In order to mount the carrier on the vehicle, the frame of the carrieris simply placed with its lower engagement means engaged for instance onthe lower edge of the rear trunk lid or door of the vehicle. One or morevehicle engaging members carried by the frame rest on the trunk lid ordoor and each strap member is arranged with its upper engagement meanson the upper edge of the trunk lid or door. Then, each strap member canbe tightened easily and quickly by the above mentioned ratchet-typetensioning means, so that the lower engagement means of the carrierframe are pressed into engagement against the lower area of the trunklid or door, while the upper engagement means of the strap members areurged into engagement with the upper edge of the lid or door.

In a further preferred embodiment, each support carrying the straptensioning means is provided with strap winding means for storing thestrap member in a wound condition within the respective support. Thus,the carrier and the strap members integrated therein assume aparticularly compact configuration when the carrier is not in use,whereas the strap members can be easily unrolled from the respectivesupports when the carrier must be mounted.

According to a further preferred feature, the above mentioned vehicleengaging member for engaging the vehicle component is in form of arocking member pivotally mounted with respect to the frame around apivot axis and having two end engaging feet for engaging the vehiclecomponent, which preferably are also swingable relative to the rockingmember. In the mounted condition of the carrier, the lower engagementmeans of the frame are engaged with the lower area of the trunk lid ordoor, the two end engaging feet of the above mentioned rocking memberare engaged with the lid or door and the upper engagement means of thestrap members are engaged on the upper area of the trunk lid or door.Due to the above described arrangement, when the strap members are putunder tension, the frame of carrier is subjected to a tilting torquearound the above identified pivot axis with respect to the abovementioned rocking member, which is then firmly urged in a fixed positionagainst the surface of the vehicle trunk lid or door. Thus, even whenthe tensioned strap members have a substantially horizontal orientation,such as on sedan cars having a trunk lid with a substantially horizontalsurface, the lower engagement means are in any case safely urgedstrongly into engagement on the lower area of the vehicle trunk lid ordoor. This constitutes a further important advantage of the carrieraccording to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description with reference to the annexed drawings,given purely by way of non limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, ina configuration adapted to be used as a bicycle carrier, where the strapmembers have been eliminated for better clarity of illustration,

FIG. 2 is a further perspective and partially exploded view of thecarrier of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the carrier of FIGS. 1, 2,

FIG. 4 is a front view of the carrier of FIGS. 1-3,

FIG. 5 is a view at an enlarged scale of a detail of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a view at an enlarged scale of a further detail of FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a detail at an enlarged scale of FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment in a foldedcondition within a case,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of thecarrier of the invention mounted on a station-wagon,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment mounted on asedan car,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the carrier ofthe invention in a version for transporting a piece of luggage, wherethe strap members have been eliminated for better clarity ofillustration,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in a versionadapted for transporting skis and/or snowboards, where also the strapmembers have been eliminated,

FIG. 14 shows a variant of FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention ina version adapted to be used as bicycle carrier,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second embodiment in a versionadapted for ski transportation,

FIG. 17 is a side view of the second embodiment, where the ski supportmembers and the bicycle support arms have been eliminated,

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view at an enlarged scale taken along lineXVIII-XVIII of FIG. 23,

FIG. 19 is a cross-section taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18,

FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken along line XX-XX of FIG. 17,

FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a cross-section taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 18,

FIGS. 23,24 are partial rear and front views of the carrier of thesecond embodiment,

FIGS. 25,26 are perspective views showing the second embodiment in amounted condition on a station-wagon and a sedan car respectively, wherethe ski support members and the bicycle support arms have beeneliminated for better clarity of illustration,

FIG. 27 shows a perspective exploded view of the lower hook arrangementof the carrier, according to a preferred embodiment, and

FIG. 28 shows a further variant of the carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, a first embodiment of the invention isshown therein, in form of an equipment carrier 20 adapted for mountingto a vehicle for supporting various items on the exterior of thevehicle. Equipment carrier 20 generally includes a frame 22, a pair ofsupports 24 each of which includes a strap 26 (see in particular FIGS.2,3,7), and a load-carrying arrangement engaged with frame 22, e.g. apair of support arms 28.

In the illustrated embodiment, frame 22 includes a pair of uprightsections 32 having forwardly facing spaced indentations 34. A curvedlower section 36 extends from the lower end of each upright section 32,and terminates in a forwardly facing end 38. An engagement member 40,which includes a hook 42 at its lower end, is engaged with the forwardlyfacing end 38 of each lower section 36.

A cross-member 44 extends between and interconnects the upper ends ofupright sections 32. Cross-member 44 includes provisions for mountingthe equipment-carrying component(s) of carrier 20. In one embodiment,cross-member 44 includes indentations 46, 48 (see FIGS. 2,5). Anengagement member 49 includes a pair of shell sections 50 which areengaged with cross-member 44 at each set of indentations 46, 48, andwhich fit together to encircle cross-member 44. Each shell section 50includes a mounting boss 52 (see FIG. 5) which is received within one ofindentations 46, 48 so as to locate shell sections 50 on cross-member 44and to prevent rotation of shell sections 50. Transverse, radiallyspaced ridges 56 are formed on each shell section 50.

Each support arm 28 includes a hub section 56 having a transversepassage 58. (see FIGS. 2,5). Hub section 56 has a split endconstruction, and includes a barrel 60 on one end and a receiver 62 onthe other. A nut is engaged within receiver 62. A series of radiallyspaced inwardly extending transverse teeth 64 are formed about theperiphery of passage 58. Teeth 64 are adapted to engage ridges 54 ofshell sections 50, such that arm 28 can be engaged with cross-member 44in varying angular orientations. Hub section 56 is slid axially ontoengagement member 49 in a desired axial orientation. A screw 66 isinserted through barrel 60 and into engagement with nut 63 locatedwithin receiver 62, and is tightened so as to clamp hub section 56 ontoengagement member 49 and to retain arm 28 in position on engagementmember 49.

In the illustrated embodiment, support arms 28 include structure forsupporting equipment such as a number of bicycles in a suspension-typemanner, in the form of saddles 68 having pads 70 engaged therewith. Aretainer strap (not shown) is engaged with each saddle 68 and is adaptedto encircle a component of an item of equipment, e.g. a bar or tube of abicycle frame, to engage the item of equipment with support arm 28 in aknown manner. Arms 28 include stabilizing members 74 for preventing thebicycles from swinging when suspended by engagement with saddles 68.

Each support 24 is formed by a pair of support sections 78, 80 (FIGS.2,6) which fit together in a clamshell-type manner. Support sections 78,80 include respective channels 82, 84, which encircle frame uprightsection 32 and define a passage in close tolerance to the outer surfaceof upright section 32. With this construction, each support 24 isaxially movable on its respective upright section 32.

Support sections 78, 80 include aligned transverse passages adapted toreceive the shank of a screw 86, which has a configuration similar tothat of screw 66. The aligned transverse passages in support sections78, 80 are adapted to be positioned in alignment with one ofindentations 34, and screw 86 is engaged with the passages in supportsections 78, 80 so as to selectively fix support 24 in a desiredposition on upright section 32. The position of support 24 can beadjusted by removing screw 86, repositioning support 24 and replacingscrew 86 such that screw 86 engages a different one of indentations 34.A threaded receiver is engaged in the passage in one of the supportsections, e.g. section 80, for receiving the threads of screw 86. Thecentral area of the shank of screw 86 may be formed without threads tofacilitate engagement with the selected one of indentations 34.

The forward ends of support sections 78, 80 include respective mountingears 88, 90, which define a space therebetween within which a U-shapedengagement member 92 having a pair of arms 94 is received. A pivot pin96 (FIGS. 2,7,8) extends through a passage 98 in engagement member 92and through aligned openings in ears 88, 90, for pivotably mountingengagement member 92 within the space between ears 88, 90. A foot 100 ispivotably mounted at the end of each engagement arm 94, and preferablyincludes a soft surface.

Each strap 26 extends through a passage defined by one of supports 24(see FIGS. 7,8). Each strap 26 has a composite construction, includingan inner core formed of a material that is non-stretchable under normalconditions, e.g. a metallic or composite material. The core of strap 26is over-molded with a hard plastic material which is formed to have aseries of one-way teeth 102. Strap 26 includes a hook 104 at its upperend.

The surface of strap 26 opposite teeth 102 is generally smooth, andcontacts a curved strap engagement surface 106 defined by support 24(see FIG. 8). Strap engagement surface 106 is located between a pair ofside walls 108, 109 (FIG. 6) defined by support sections 78, 80,respectively.

Each support 24 includes a tensioning lever 110 having a handle portion112 with an elongated opening 113 through which frame upright section 32extends (FIG. 8). Tensioning lever 110 is pivotably mounted to support24 via a pivot pin 114 that extends through a passage 116 formed in theforward end of tensioning lever 110 opposite handle portion 112. Opening113 is shaped so as to receive frame upright section 32 when tensioninglever 112 is raised and lowered. Tensioning lever 110 includes acam-shaped forward surface 118 having a series of teeth 120 that faceteeth 102 of strap 26. A torsion spring 122 is engaged with tensioninglever 110, for biasing tensioning lever 110 toward a lowered inoperativeposition in which teeth 120 are disengaged from strap teeth 102.

With reference to FIG. 8, a strap retainer 124 is pivotably mountedbelow the forward end of tensioning lever 110 via a pivot pin 126. Strapretainer 124 includes a series of teeth 128 which face the lower end ofstrap engagement surface 106. A pair of torsion springs 130 (FIG. 6)engage strap retainer 124 so as to urge teeth 128 toward strapengagement surface 106. Pivot pin 126 also functions to mount a releasetrigger 132 by engagement within aligned openings defined by a pair ofarms 134. Each arm 134 includes a recess 136, and strap retainer 124 hasoutwardly extending tabs 138 that are received within recesses 136. Withthis arrangement, trigger 132 can be depressed so as to move teeth 128out of engagement with strap teeth 102 against the force of torsionsprings 130. When trigger 132 is released, torsion springs 130 functionto move strap retainer 124 toward strap engagement surface 106 to aposition in which strap retainer teeth 128 engage strap teeth 102, andto move trigger 132 outwardly by engagement of tabs 138 with triggerarms 134.

In operation, equipment carrier 20 is engaged with the trunk or reardoor of a vehicle as follows. Initially, trigger 132 is depressed so asto disengage strap retainer teeth 128 from strap teeth 102, and eachstrap 26 is extended or moved outwardly relative to its respectivesupport 24 to an extended position. Lower hook 42 of frame 22 is engagedwith the lower edge of the vehicle trunk lid or rear door, and straphook 104 is engaged with the upper or forward edge of the vehicle trunklid or rear door (FIGS. 10,11). Supports 24 are positioned on uprightmembers 32 at an appropriate elevation for the trunk lid or rear door towhich equipment carrier 20 is mounted, and engagement member 92 ispivoted so as to bring feet 100 into engagement with the underlyingsurfaces of the vehicle trunk lid or rear door. Engagement member 92 canbe positioned so that feet 100 are in vertical alignment with each other(FIG. 10) or such that the upper foot 100 overlies the top surface ofthe trunk lid and the lower foot 100 engages the rearwardly facingsurface of the trunk lid (FIG. 11). The user then engages screws 86 withsupports 24 to maintain supports 24 in the desired vertical position onframe upright section 34. Thereafter, the user operates tensioning lever110 by repeatedly raising and lowering tensioning lever 110. Each timetensioning lever 110 is lifted, teeth 120 of tensioning lever 110 engagestrap teeth 102 so as to retract strap 26 until strap hook 104 and lowerhook 42 engage the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the trunk orrear door. The user continues to retract strap 26 in this manner so asto induce tension in strap 26 sufficient to maintain strap hook 104 andlower hook 42 in engagement with the upper and lower edges,respectively, of the trunk or rear door. Upon each advancement of strap26, strap retainer 124 is pivoted away from strap 26 by the passage ofstrap teeth 102 over strap retainer teeth 128. When tensioning lever 112is lowered, strap retainer teeth 128 engage strap teeth 102 to preventstrap 26 from being extended, such that tensioning lever 110 and strapretainer 124 function to provide a ratchet-type tensioning mechanism forapplying tension to strap 26. In this manner, engagement of hooks 104,42 with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the trunk lid orrear door, in combination with engagement of feet 100 therebetween withthe surfaces of the trunk lid or rear door, function to securely engageequipment carrier 20 with the trunk lid or rear door.

It is to be noted that the carrier of the invention is able to solve aproblem which is encountered when mounting an equipment carrier on atrunk lid as in FIG. 11, having a substantially horizontal uppersurface. In this case, the hooks 104, when engaged on the forward edgeof the trunk lid, are substantially at the same level, in the verticaldirection, as supports 24. As a consequence of this, the tensionedportions of straps 26 are substantially horizontal or only slightlyinclined relative to the horizontal. In the absence of the specificstructure and arrangement of engagement members 92 as described above,tensioning straps 26 would not cause the lower hooks 42 to be urgedupwardly against the lower edge of the trunk lid, so that a safeconnection of the carrier to the vehicle would not be achieved. In theinvention however, when the straps 26 are tensioned, supports 24 aresubjected to a tilting torque around pins 96 (in the direction of arrowT in FIG. 7) relative to the engagement members 92, which are urged withtheir pads 100 against the rear and upper surfaces of the trunk lid. Asa result of this tilting torque, the lower hooks 42 are safely urgedupwardly against the lower edge of the lid.

To remove equipment carrier 20, the user depresses release trigger 132to disengage each strap retainer 124 from its respective strap 26, whichenables straps 26 to be extended and to thereby disengage hooks 104, 42from the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the trunk lid or reardoor.

When equipment carrier 20 is engaged with the vehicle trunk lid or reardoor, bicycles or other equipment can be engaged with support arms 28 ina conventional manner using saddles 68 and retainer straps 72.Stabilizers 74 prevent the outer bicycles from swinging, and frame 22prevents the inner bicycle from swinging.

When equipment carrier 20 is not in use, the user disengages supportarms 28 from engagement members 49 and moves support arms 28 inwardly(see FIG. 9), which allows support arms 28 to be pivoted aboutcross-member 44 and to hang down between upright sections 32 of frame22. If desired, support arms 28 can be moved outwardly into engagementwith engagement members 49 when positioned in this manner, to maintainsupport arms 28 in position. In addition, screws 86 can be disengagedfrom the respective indentation 34 in upright section 32, to allowsupports 24 to be pivoted toward each other within the space betweenupright sections 32. This folding capability of supports 24 and arms 28allows carrier 20 to assume a compact configuration when not in use, inwhich it can be stored in a case 150, and to quickly and easily bereturned to its normal configuration for use.

Straps 26 are manufactured with a length sufficient to enable carrier 20to be used with any type of vehicle, from one having a small trunk lid,e.g. a small sedan or coupe, to one having a large rear door, e.g. a vanor SUV.

Frame 22 is configured to have a height sufficient to enable the vehiclelicense plate to be visible when equipment carrier 20 is mounted to thevehicle. This typically means that, in European countries, frame 22 hasa greater height than is necessary for domestic vehicles, since Europeanvehicles typically have license plates mounted higher than do domesticvehicles.

It should be understood that equipment carrier 20 may be modified tocarry other types of equipment, or to carry similar types of equipmentin different ways. For example, frame 22 can be mounted to a vehicleusing supports 24 and straps 26, and may include lower support structurefor supporting bicycles from below rather than suspending the bicyclesfrom above, i.e. in a tray-type configuration having either a fork-typemount or a wheel mount. It should also be understood that, while aratchet-type engagement system is shown for tensioning straps 26, anyother type of variable position engagement and tensioning system may beemployed in place of the ratchet-type system.

Examples of other types of equipment that can supported by carrier 20include an equipment box 142 (FIG. 12) which may have a handle 144. Inthis embodiment, a lower support frame 146 extends rearwardly from lowerframe sections 36 and is secured thereto via mounting members 148 and athreaded rod engaged with a knob 150. A single arm 152 extends fromupper cross-member 44 of frame 22. A latch 154 is mounted to the end ofarm 152, and is engageable with handle 144 of equipment box 142.

In a ski or snowboard carrier version (FIG. 13), a lower frame 158extends downwardly from lower frame sections 36 of frame 22. A tray 160is engaged with lower frame 158, and has compartments configured toreceive the lower ends of skis or snowboards. An upper ski/snowboardsupport 162 is engaged with upper cross-member 44 of frame 22 via a pairof collars 164 having inwardly facing teeth that engage the ridges ofengagement members 49. Support 162 includes spaced apart arms betweenwhich skis or snowboards are received. Flexible and resilient straps areengaged with the arms and the skis or snowboards so as to maintain theskis or snowboards in position between the arms.

In another version (FIG. 14), a pair of ski/snowboard supports 168 maybe engaged with upright sections 32. Each ski/snowboard support 168includes spaced apart recesses which are adapted to receive spaced apartareas of skis or snowboards. The ski or snowboard bindings rest on thelower one of ski/snowboard supports 168, and flexible and resilientstraps engage the rearward edges of the skis or snowboards to maintainthe skis or snowboards in engagement with ski/snowboard supports 168.

It is understood that various other types of equipment carryingstructures may be engaged with the frame so as to carry equipmentexteriorly of a vehicle. It is also understood that frame 22 may assumevarious other configurations and is not limited to the specific type ofconfiguration as shown and described. Frame 22 may have anyconfiguration which provides lateral stability against twisting whenengaged with the top and bottom areas of a vehicle trunk lid or door,and which provides intermediate support between the top and bottomengagement of the frame therewith.

With reference to FIGS. 15-26 a second embodiment of the invention isshown therein. In these figures, parts corresponding to those of FIGS.1-14 are designated by the same reference numerals.

With reference in particular to FIGS. 17, 18, a main difference withrespect to the carrier of the first embodiment lies in that each of thetwo straps 26 is stored in a wound configuration within the body of therespective support 24 when not in use.

With reference to FIG. 17, engagement member 40 includes a sleeveportion 41 which is freely rotatably mounted around the lower end 38 ofthe respective upright section 32. A rivet 420 (see FIG. 27) has itsends secured to two facing circular holes 422, one of which is formed atthe top of sleeve portion 41, the other being formed in a tab 423 whichis cut and bent away from the front wall of element 40 so as to engagethe end portion 38 of the frame tube from below. The rivet is alsoengaged through two facing slots 421 formed on the upper and lower sidesof tube end 38 and elongated in the circumferential direction. Thus,element 40 is able to perform a limited rotation around the axis of endportion 38, as well as a limited rotation around an axis orthogonal tothe axis of the end portion 38 and substantially coincident with theaxis of rivet 420. Due to these features, each hook 42 is able toperform slight rotations both around the axis of end portion 38 and anaxis orthogonal thereto, in order to better engage the lower edge of thetrunk lid or door, whatever is the configuration and orientation of thisedge.

Still with reference to FIG. 17, contrary to the first embodiment, theupright section 32 is not provided with the forwardly facing spacedindentations 34 which have been shown in FIG. 1. In the case of thesecond embodiment each upright section 32 has only a forwardly facingflat wall 32 a (see also FIG. 19). Each support 24 has a frame 300 whichis formed by a U-bent metal sheet having a central portion 300 a engagedaround the respective section 32 and two parallel walls 300 b whichextend forwardly with respect to the section 32 from the central portion300 a (see FIGS. 15, 18 and 20). Each side wall of the frame 300 has acut-away portion 300 c adjacent to the central portion 300 a (see FIGS.15, 19). The two cut-away portions 300 c can be tightened around section32 in a clamp-like fashion by a screw 302 (FIG. 19) having a head 304engaging one of the two portions 300 c and screwed at the other end intoa nut 306 associated to the other portion 300 c. By loosening screw 304,the frame 300 of support 24 (FIG. 15) is free to slide along section 32and can then be clamped at any desired position by tightening againscrew 302. The two side walls 300 b of frame 300 have outwardly deformedportions defining two bosses 308 (FIG. 19) having facing holes 310around which a tubular roller 312 is freely rotatably mounted. Theroller 312 is for winding the strap 26 within the body of support 24. Tothis end, one end of the strap 26 which is opposite to hook 104 issecured by two screws 314 to roller 312. As visible in FIG. 18, thestrap 26 has no teeth formed thereon, contrary to the first embodimentdescribed in the foregoing. In the case of the second embodiment, thestrap 26 is preferably made of steel and coated with one of more layersof synthetic material.

With reference to FIGS. 18-21, two ratchet wheels 316, with one-wayteeth 317, are secured on the two ends of roller 312 projectingoutwardly from the side walls of frame 300.

As in the case of the first embodiment, a tensioning lever 110 ispivotably mounted to support 24 around the axis 318 of roller 312. Asvisible in FIG. 20, the body of tensioning lever 110 is defined by twohalf-shells 320. Also in this case the body of the tensioning lever 110has an opening 113 shaped so as to receive the frame upright section 32when tensioning lever 110 is raised and lowered by acting on the handleportion 112 of the lever 110. The pivotal mounting of lever 110 aroundaxis 318 is obtained by means of two hub-like portions 322 ofhalf-shells 320 which are rotatably mounted around the end portions ofroller 312. Moreover, the half-shells 320 define a passage 324 (FIG. 20)for engagement of a screw (not shown) adjacent to the handle portion112.

An engagement pawl 326 (FIG. 21) cooperates with each ratchet wheel 316.Each pawl 326 is pivotably mounted by a pin 328 on a respectivehub-portion 322 of the body of the tensioning lever 110. A spring 330 isinterposed between each pawl 326 and a wall of the hub-portion 322 inorder to bias pawl 326 into engagement on the teeth 317 of ratchet wheel316. Moreover, a retainer 332 cooperates with each ratchet wheel 316.Both retainers 332 are pivotally mounted by a common pin 334 to frame300 of support 24. Each retainer 332 has teeth 336 engaging the teeth317 of the respective ratchet wheel 316. The two retainers 332 arerigidly connected to the structure of a trigger member 338 (FIG. 18)which is thus swingable along with retainers 332 around the axis ofcommon pin 334 with respect to the support frame 300. A spring 339(having a shape similar to spring 122 of the first embodiment) isinterposed between frame 300 and trigger member 338 in order to biastrigger member 338 into a rest position in which retainers 332 areengaged with the teeth of ratchet wheels 316.

The operation of the above described ratchet mechanism is as follows:

Supposing that the strap 26 is stored in the wound condition withinsupport 24, the user must first of all grasp the end portion of thestrap 26 carrying the hook 104 and pull the strap in order to unwind itfrom support 24 and bring hook 104 into engagement on the upper frontedge of the vehicle door or trunk lid. As in the first embodiment, hook104 is engaged on the upper edge of the trunk lid or door after lowerhooks 42 have been engaged on the lower edge.

Unwinding of the strap 26 from the respective support 24 is accomplishedwhen trigger member 338 is pressed. In order to do that, the user graspsthe upright section 32 from behind at the level of support 24 and pullstrigger member 338 rearwardly by one or more fingers of his hand. Byholding the trigger member 338 in the pulled condition, the retainers332 (FIG. 21) are held in a disengaged condition with respect to theteeth of ratchet wheels 316. Moreover, with the tensioning lever 110being in the lower position shown in FIG. 21, each pawl 326 is in theposition shown in the same figure, close to retainer 332. Therefore,when retainers 332 are held in a condition spaced from the teeth 317 ofwheel 316 by acting on trigger member 338, each pawl 326 is pushed bythe respective retainer 332 to a position disengaged from teeth 317. Inthis condition the user is able to grasp the free end of strap 26 andpull it up to the desired length, causing unwinding of the strap fromsupport 24. Rotation of wheels 316 during unwinding does not have anyinfluence on lever 110, since the pawls 326 carried by lever 110 aredisengaged from wheels 316 by the action of trigger member 338. Once thehook 104 has been engaged on the upper edge of the trunk lid or door,the trigger member 338 can be released, so that each retainer 332 andeach pawl 326 return to the condition shown in FIG. 21. After that, thestrap 26 can be tensioned by repeated raising and lowering movements ofthe tensioning lever 110. Each time that the lever 110 is raised (by aclockwise rotation with reference to FIG. 21) pins 328 and pawls 326follow the lever in its rotation, so that the each pawl 326 moves awayfrom the associated retainer 332 and causes rotation of the cooperatingratchet wheel 316. As visible in FIG. 18, the clockwise rotation ofwheels 316 is transmitted to roller 312 thus causing winding of thestrap 26 within support 24. During this rotation, the common pin 334remains at its fixed position relative to support 24, and retainers 332along with trigger member 338 repeatedly swing around pin 334 as aresult of the movement of teeth 317 with respect to retainers 332.

When the tensioning lever 110 is returned to its lower position,retainers 332 hold the cooperating wheels 316 in their previouslyreached position, whereas the two pawls 326 return to the position shownin FIG. 20 adjacent to retainers 332. During their return movement, thepawls 326 repeatedly swing around their respective pins 328 due to theirmovement with respect to the teeth 317 of wheels 316. By repeating theupward and downward movement of the tensioning lever 313 a sufficientnumber of times, the strap 26 can be tensioned as desired.

The trigger member 338 of each support 24 can be locked in its restedposition by a key-operable lock 400 which acts on a lock member 402(shown in FIG. 18). The lock member 402 can be moved between thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 18 and a vertical position. In thehorizontal position, the lock member 402 prevents actuation of thetrigger member 338 by coming in contact against section 32. When thelocking member 402 is moved to its vertical position, trigger member 338can be actuated.

When the user wants to remove the carrier from the vehicle, he mustactuate trigger member 338 in order to move retainers 332 to the raisedposition in which retainers 332 disengage pawls 326 from wheels 316. Inthis condition the strap 26 can be pulled a sufficient length in orderto disengage hook 104 from the upper edge of the trunk lid or door. Whenthis has been done, trigger member 338 can be released and thetensioning lever 110 can be repeatedly actuated in order to wind thestrap 26 completely within the respective support 24.

FIGS. 25, 26 are views similar to those of FIGS. 10, 11, showing thecarrier according to the second embodiment mounted on a station wagonhaving a rear door and a sedan car having a trunk lid.

Again, also in this case, the arrangement of the engagement members 92pivoted to supports 24 and carrying the swivel pads 100 causes the lowerhooks 42 to be urged upwardly when the straps are tensioned even whenthe carrier is mounted on a trunk lid having a substantially horizontalupper surface, as in FIG. 26. As already discussed with reference to thefirst embodiment, this result is due to the tilting action around theaxis of pivot pins 96 to which the frame of the carrier is subjectedupon tensioning the straps.

FIG. 16 shows the second embodiment in the form adapted for carryingskis, similarly to what has been shown in FIG. 14 with reference to thefirst embodiment.

Naturally, while the principle of the invention remains the same,details of the embodiments may widely vary with respect to what has beenillustrated purely by way of example.

For instance, supports 24 hosting the strap winding means could beseparated from further supports to which engagement members 92 could bemounted. Moreover, the means for tensioning the straps could be in formof a ratchet mechanism of a type different from that described herein byway of example, or it could be also in form of any other mechanism,different from a ratchet mechanism. Also the member for controllingtensioning of the strap could be different from a swingable lever suchas lever 110. For example, this member could be in form of a rotatinghandle or knob.

Furthermore, also the second embodiment can be arranged in order totransport the various items of equipment which have been shown withreference to the first embodiment, as well as also many other differentitems.

It is also understood that frame 22 may assume various otherconfigurations and is not limited to the specific type of configurationas shown and described.

FIG. 28 of the drawings shows an arrangement of the carrier in which itis provided with an additional foot member 800 on each upright sectionof the frame, which can rest on the vehicle rear bumper to reduce theload applied to the lower edge of the rear door or lid, which may beadvantageous particularly in cases where the carrier is used totransport relatively heavy items.

1. An equipment carrier arrangement, comprising: a movable rear vehiclecomponent defining an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the movablevehicle component is movable between an open position and a closedposition; and an equipment carrier, comprising: a frame having a lowerportion that includes a lower hook arrangement that is engaged with thelower edge of the movable vehicle component, wherein the lower hookarrangement prevents upward movement of the frame relative to thevehicle component; a structure connected to the frame or forming partthereof, for carrying one or more items of equipment; at least onesupport interconnected with the frame above the lower engagement means,wherein the at least one support extends from the frame toward thevehicle component; at least one pivotable vehicle engaging member;carried by the frame and located above the lower hook arrangement,wherein the vehicle engaging member is movably interconnected with thesupport at a location spaced from the frame toward the vehiclecomponent, wherein at least a portion of the support is located betweenthe vehicle engaging member and the frame, and wherein the vehicleengaging member is engaged with the vehicle component at a positionabove said lower edge of the movable vehicle component, a strap memberhaving an upper hook arrangement engaged with the upper edge defined bythe movable vehicle component, at least one support connected to theframe or forming part thereof, provided with strap engaging andtensioning means which are permanently engaged by said strap member,wherein said strap member constitutes an integral part of said carrierarrangement, whereby said carrier arrangement can be mounted on avehicle with no need of additional separate strap members, and whereinsaid strap engaging and tensioning means can be controlled fortensioning the strap member in order to tighten said upper engagementmeans onto said upper edge of the vehicle component; and wherein thecarrier is maintained in engagement with the movable vehicle componentand is movable along with the movable vehicle component when the movablevehicle component is moved between the open position and a closedposition via engagement of the lower hook arrangement with the loweredge of the movable vehicle component, engagement of the upper hookarrangement with the upper edge of the movable vehicle component, andengagement of the pivotable vehicle engaging member with the movablevehicle component at a location between the upper and lower edges of themovable vehicle component.
 2. An equipment carrier arrangement,comprising: a movable rear vehicle component defining an upper edge anda lower edge, wherein the movable vehicle component is movable betweenan open position and a closed position; and an equipment carrier,comprising: a frame having lower engagement means engaged with the loweredge of the vehicle component, wherein engagement of the lowerengagement means with the lower edge of the vehicle component preventsupward movement of the frame relative to the vehicle component; astructure connected to the frame or forming part thereof, for carryingone or more items of equipment; at least one support interconnected withthe frame above the lower engagement means via an adjustable positionengagement arrangement that enables adjustment in the vertical positionof the support relative to the frame, wherein the at least one supportextends from the frame toward the vehicle component; at least onevehicle engaging member carried by and movable with the support, whereinthe vehicle engaging member is engaged with the vehicle component at aposition between the lower edge and the upper edge of the vehiclecomponent, and wherein the vehicle engaging member is movablyinterconnected with the support at a location spaced from the frametoward the vehicle component, wherein at least a portion of the supportis located between the vehicle engaging member and the frame; a strapmember having upper engagement means engaged with the upper edge of thevehicle component; strap engaging and tensioning means carried by andmovable with the support, wherein said strap member is engaged with thestrap engaging and tensioning means and can be controlled for tensioningthe strap member in order to tighten said upper and lower engagementmeans onto said upper and lower edges, respectively, of the vehiclecomponent; wherein the adjustable position engagement arrangement isconfigured and arranged to enable simultaneous adjustment in thevertical position of the vehicle engaging member and the strap engagingand tensioning means relative to the frame in order to vary the locationof the strap member and the vehicle engaging member relative to theframe; and wherein the equipment carrier is maintained in engagementwith the movable vehicle component and is movable with the vehiclecomponent between the open and closed positions via engagement of thelower engagement means with the lower edge of the vehicle component,engagement of the upper engagement means of the strap member with theupper edge of the vehicle component, and engagement of the vehicleengaging member with the vehicle component between the upper and loweredges.
 3. The carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein saidvehicle engaging member is mounted to said support via a pivotconnection.
 4. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid frame includes a pair of upright sections, a cross-member whichinterconnects upper ends defined by said upright sections and isprovided with means for mounting the equipment-carrying structure,curved lower sections extending from the lower ends of the uprightsections and terminating in forwardly facing ends, and a hook carryingmember mounted to each of said forwardly facing ends and including ahook, wherein each hook is configured to engage a lower edge defined bythe vehicle component.
 5. The carrier arrangement as set forth in claim2, wherein said strap engaging and tensioning means comprise a mechanismfor holding the strap member in any set position relative to saidsupport, a strap tensioning member for applying tension to said strapmember, and a release control member for releasing said mechanism inorder to enable free movement of the strap member relative to saidsupport.
 6. The carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 5, whereinsaid mechanism is a ratchet mechanism.
 7. A carrier arrangement as setforth in claim 6, wherein said support has a through passage throughwhich said strap member is engaged, said strap member having a series ofone-way teeth, and wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a toothedstrap retainer pivotally mounted to said support and elastically biasedto a position in which its teeth engage the teeth of the strap member,so as to enable movement of the strap member in a tensioning directionand prevent movement of the strap member in a direction opposite thetensioning direction.
 8. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 7,wherein said support has a split construction.
 9. A carrier arrangementas set forth in claim 7, wherein said strap tensioning member is in formof a tensioning lever pivotally mounted on said support and having aseries of one-way teeth engageable with said teeth of the strap member,said lever being operable to have an active tensioning movement from afirst position to a second position, where it causes tensioning of thestrap member, and an inactive return movement from the second positionto the first position, during which the strap retainer holds the strapmember in the previously reached position.
 10. A carrier arrangement asset forth in claim 9, wherein said release control member is in form ofa trigger member which can be actuated in order to move said strapretainer away from its position engaging the strap member.
 11. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein said support is mounted onan upright section forming part of the carrier frame, and wherein saidtensioning lever is pivotally mounted to said support around an axislocated forwardly of said upright section, and has a body extendingrearwardly of the upright section, with a through passage through whichthe upright section is arranged.
 12. A carrier arrangement as set forthin claim 11, wherein said release control member is in form of a triggermember arranged on said support forwardly of the upright section andoperable by pulling it rearwardly.
 13. An equipment carrier arrangement,comprising: a movable rear vehicle component defining an upper edge anda lower edge, wherein the movable vehicle component is movable betweenan open position and a closed position; and an equipment carrier,comprising: a frame having lower engagement means engaged with the loweredge of the vehicle component, wherein the lower engagement meansprevents upward movement of the frame relative to the vehicle component;a structure connected to the frame or forming part thereof, for carryingone or more items of equipment; at least one support interconnected withthe frame above the lower engagement means, wherein the at least onesupport extends from the frame toward the vehicle component; at leastone vehicle engaging member secured to the support, wherein the vehicleengaging member is movably interconnected with the support at a locationspaced from the frame toward the vehicle component, wherein at least aportion of the support is located between the vehicle engaging memberand the frame, and wherein the vehicle engaging member is engaged withthe vehicle component at a position between the lower edge and the upperedge of the vehicle component; a strap member having upper engagementmeans for engagement with the upper edge of the vehicle component; strapengaging and tensioning means secured to the support, wherein said strapmember is secured to said strap engaging and tensioning means andwherein said strap engaging and tensioning means can be controlled fortensioning the strap member in order to tighten said upper and lowerengagement means onto said upper and lower edges, respectively, of thevehicle component; wherein the vehicle engaging member is secured to thesupport such that the support is located between the frame and thevehicle engaging member; and wherein the equipment carrier is maintainedin engagement with the movable vehicle component and is movable with thevehicle component between the open and closed positions via engagementof the lower engagement means with the lower edge of the vehiclecomponent, engagement of the upper engagement means of the strap memberwith the upper edge of the vehicle component, and engagement of thevehicle engaging member with the vehicle component between the upper andlower edges.
 14. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 13, whereinsaid support defines an interior within which the strap is stored in awound configuration by the strap engaging means.
 15. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said frame includes a pairof upright sections, a cross-member which interconnects upper endsdefined by said upright sections and is provided with means for mountingthe equipment-carrying structure, curved lower sections extending fromthe lower ends of the upright sections, and terminating in forwardlyfacing ends, and a hook carrying member mounted to each of saidforwardly facing ends and including a hook, wherein each hook isconfigured to engage a lower edge defined by the vehicle component. 16.A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said strapengaging and tensioning means is in the form of strap winding means. 17.A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein the strapwinding means comprises a mechanism for holding the strap winding meansin any set condition, a strap tensioning member for controlling themechanism in order to apply a tension to the strap member, and a releasecontrol member to release the mechanism in order to enable unwinding ofthe strap member from said strap winding means.
 18. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 17, wherein said mechanism is aratchet mechanism.
 19. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 18,wherein said strap winding means include includes a strap winding rollerrotatably mounted to said support, on which the strap member can bewound, and wherein said ratchet mechanism includes at least one ratchetwheel carried by said winding roller and having a series of one-wayteeth, and a retainer having a series of teeth which is pivotallymounted to said support and elastically biased to a position in whichthe teeth of the retainer engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel, so asto enable a rotation of the wheel in a strap winding tensioningdirection and preventing an opposite rotation of the wheel.
 20. Acarrier arrangement as set forth in claim 19, wherein said straptensioning member is in form of a lever pivotally mounted on saidsupport and provided with a toothed pawl pivotally connected to saidtensioning lever and elastically biased to a position in which itengages the teeth of the ratchet wheel, said lever being operable tohave an active movement from a first position to a second position, inwhich said pawl causes rotation of the ratchet wheel in the strapwinding tensioning direction, and an inactive return movement from thesecond position to the first position, during which the retainer holdsthe ratchet wheel in the previously reached position.
 21. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein said release controlmember is in form of a trigger member which can be actuated in order tomove said retainer away from its position engaging the ratchet wheel.22. An equipment carrier arrangement, comprising: a movable rear vehiclecomponent defining an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the movablevehicle component is movable between an open position and a closedposition; and an equipment carrier, comprising: a frame having an upperportion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the frameincludes a lower hook arrangement that is engaged with the lower edge ofthe movable vehicle component, wherein the frame and the lower hookarrangement are configured such that engagement of the lower hookarrangement with the lower edge of the movable vehicle component isoperable to rigidly connect the lower portion of the frame to themovable vehicle component and prevent upward movement of the framerelative to the vehicle component; a structure connected to the frame orforming part thereof, for carrying one or more items of equipment; atleast one support interconnected with the frame above the lowerengagement means, wherein the at least one support extends from theframe toward the vehicle component; at least one vehicle engagingmember; connected to the frame, wherein the vehicle engaging member islocated above the lower hook arrangement and is engaged with the movablevehicle component at a position above said lower edge of the movablevehicle component, wherein the vehicle engaging member is pivotallyinterconnected with the support via a pivot connection that defines atransverse pivot axis at a location spaced from the frame toward thevehicle component, and wherein at least a portion of the support islocated between the vehicle engaging member and the frame; and a strapmember interconnected with the frame via a strap member support, whereinthe strap member includes upper engagement means engaged with the upperedge defined by the movable vehicle component; strap engaging andtensioning means carried by the frame, wherein said strap member issecured to said strap engaging and tensioning means and wherein saidstrap engaging and tensioning means can be controlled for tensioning thestrap member in order to tighten said upper engagement means onto saidupper edge of the vehicle component, wherein tensioning the strap membervia the strap engaging and tensioning means induces a tilting action onsaid frame around said transverse pivot axis which causes the lower hookarrangement of said frame to be urged against the lower edge of themovable vehicle component so as to clamp the movable vehicle componentbetween the upper engagement means of the strap member and the lowerhook arrangement of the frame; wherein the equipment carrier ismaintained in engagement with the movable vehicle component and ismovable with the vehicle component between the open and closed positionsvia engagement of the lower hook arrangement with the lower edge of thevehicle component, engagement of the upper engagement means of the strapmember with the upper edge of the vehicle component, and engagement ofthe vehicle engaging member with the vehicle component between the upperand lower edges.
 23. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 22,wherein the lower hook arrangement is interconnected with a forwardlyfacing end defined by the lower portion of said frame so as to be ableto perform a limited rotation with respect to said forwardly facing end.24. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein said frameincludes a pair of upright sections, a cross-member which interconnectsupper ends defined by said upright sections and is provided with meansfor mounting the equipment-carrying structure, curved lower sectionsextending from the lower ends of the upright sections, and terminatingin forwardly facing ends, and a hook carrying member mounted to each ofsaid forwardly facing ends and including a hook, wherein each hook isconfigured to engage a lower edge defined by the vehicle component. 25.A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein said framecomprises a pair of upright sections and a cross member extendingtherebetween, and wherein the structure for carrying the one or moreitems of equipment is interconnected with said cross-member via an arrayof angularly spaced axial ridges arranged around the cross-member andextending longitudinally therealong, and wherein the structure forcarrying the one or more items of equipment includes at least oneequipment carrying arm having a hub section with an inner surface havingan array of longitudinal angularly spaced teeth which are engageablewith said ridges, to connect said arm to said cross-member at differentdesired orientations.
 26. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim25, wherein said hub section has a split construction.
 27. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 25, wherein said equipment carryingstructure is selected among a number of different structures adapted tocarry different items of equipment, such as bicycles, skis, snowboards,pieces of luggage.
 28. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 25,wherein said ridges are formed on an engagement member surrounding saidcross-member.
 29. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 28,wherein said engagement member surrounding the cross-member has a splitconstruction.
 30. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 22,wherein said vehicle engaging member is in form of a rocking memberhaving a mid portion pivotally supported around said pivot axis by saidframe and two end portions to which vehicle engaging feet are pivotallyconnected.
 31. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim 30, whereinsaid rocking member is U-shaped.
 32. A carrier arrangement as set forthin claim 31, wherein said frame includes at least one upright section,and wherein said strap member support is mounted on said upright sectionby connecting means enabling an adjustment of the position of saidsupport along said upright section.
 33. A carrier arrangement as setforth in claim 32, wherein each upright section has spaced indentationsselectively engageable by said connecting means.
 34. A carrierarrangement as set forth in claim 32, wherein said connecting meanscomprises clamp means carried by said support and adapted to betightened around said upright section at any position thereof by meansof a tightening screw.
 35. A carrier arrangement as set forth in claim34, wherein each upright section has a forwardly facing flat surfaceengageable by said tightening screw of said clamp means in order toprevent rotation of the support relative to the upright section.
 36. Acarrier arrangement as set forth in claim 34, wherein said support has asupporting structure in form of a U-bent metal sheet surrounding arearwardly facing portion of the upright section and having two cut-awayportions defining said clamp means, which are engageable by saidtightening screw forwardly of said upright section.